Nightlife by District

This is the main area of the city where locals and tourists mix. Located just east of downtown proper, this former warehouse district is now densely packed with dining, dancing, drinking, live music and outdoor options. Dollhouse is part night club, part burlesque show, and it is Oklahoma City's most high energy dance club. For C&W fans, Wormy Dog serves up regional and local artists in Red Dirt, Americana, Mainstream, and every other country genre. Moonshiners Music Club is a dress-code-enforced country dance bar for grown-ups. As for live music, The Criterion--the metro's newest music venue--attracts regional and national acts in every conceivable genre of music. The Mantel, one of Bricktown's oldest restaurants, is a spectacular fine-dining option, boasting seafood imported fresh two to three times a week. The wine list boasts approximately 50 by-the-glass choices. Who needs a pub crawl when Tapwerks has 300+ beers, including 100 on tap, and live music on weekends? There are dozens of dining options located along the Bricktown Canal, too, so take a stroll or take the canal boat, catch a movie at Harkins Theatres, check out Native American Art at Exhibit C--you won't run out of things to explore.

Oklahoma City's legendary jazz neighborhood is located just across the Walnut Street Bridge from Bricktown. Mainly a residential area now for young urbanites, the district still boasts great nighttime options, beginning with WSKY Lounge, which, as the name implies has 400 whiskeys to choose between as well as some of the metro's most accomplished bartenders. Pop next door to Slaughter's Hall for live jazz every Tuesday night and a great selection of local beers. Depending on the weather, the fire pit and patio at Deep Deuce Grill is a favorite gathering spot for young professionals. Urban Johnnie is located in the Level apartment complex, and this bar and grill has expansive indoor seating, patio seating, and--this is a big deal in downtown--dedicated, free parking for guests.

Named for the district's history--the titans of the car business all had buildings along this historic street--the strip now is home to dining and drinking options at night. At Water's Edge Winery, the Edwards family makes wine locally using grapes from all over the world. Have a seat and sample some of their 50+ styles and varietals or grab a couple bottles to go--they can even sell on Sunday. Broadway 10 is one of OKC's largest, locally owned bar/restaurants. Dining options include steak, chops, and seafood, and the 40-seat bar features an outstanding wine list and craft cocktails. Right across the street from Broadway 10 is Sidecar, a cocktail lounge with small plates and outdoor seating when the weather is right. Redprime Steakhouse is just what the name indicates, one of the city's high quality prime steakhouses, featuring prime cuts, an active bar scene, and outstanding feature cocktails.

Downtown

Really downtown proper, as many of the districts are located downtown. The district is bounded by Bricktown on the east and Film Row on the west, and the Chesapeake Arena dominates the area. If you're in town, tickets to Thunder home games are relatively easy to come by given the team's remarkable success over the past several years. For a magnificent nighttime view of the city, grab a cocktail in Vast's bar or lounge, located on the 49th floor of the Devon Tower. One of the city's best patios is located at the base of the tower in the Colcord Hotel. Flint serves excellent American cuisine, accompanied by signature cocktails or wine from the their outstanding list. Depending on the weather, you can catch outdoor concerts at the Myriad Botanical Gardens, including a series of free concerts on Sunday nights throughout the summer.

Some of the metro's best dining is available in Midtown, as well as local gathering places large and small. Packard's New American Kitchen's rooftop bar offers an amazing view of the skyline, as does O Bar at the Ambassador Hotel. Both have good wine lists and great cocktails. Fassler Hall and McNellie's Public House both have extensive beer selections, and Fassler regularly offers live music on weekend nights. If bowling is your thing, Dust Bowl, just downstairs from Fassler Hall, is a retro bowling alley with a full bar. You'll need to know how to score your card old school style, though. For late-night drinks, R&J is the choice in Midtown. They'll issue last call about 1:20 am so you can get that nightcap from one of the city's most unique cocktail bars.

One of the newest of Oklahoma City's revitalized districts, Uptown has been a magnet for young urbanites. The historic Tower Theatre--built in 1937--reopened in 2016. Levelland Productions books great regional and national acts to play the theatre, and the complex is home to a collection of hip bars and restaurants, including Savings & Loan Bar. For cocktails and conversation, head over to Rockford Cocktail Den, a comfortable lounge with a 1970s vibe. Guyutes has rooftop drinking, quirky food, and a great beer list. The Pump is one of the hottest spots in town, but you cannot be afraid of tattoos and piercings. More than half the space at The Pump is outside, and cornhole--a local beanbag game favorite--makes for great opportunities to meet and interact with locals.

Oklahoma City's historic arts district is one of the most eclectic neighborhoods in the city. Dozens of working artists have galleries in the area, but nightlife centers around restaurants and clubs. The Other Room is a smoking-permitted cocktail lounge adjacent to its sister restaurant Picasso Cafe. Arts districts typically attract a mixture of demographics, and Paseo is no exception. Fine dining is available at Paseo Grill, but the young artsy types are hanging out on the patio of Sauced for pizza and live music.

This historic neighborhood has benefitted from its wide plazas and gathering spaces. Initially a haven for hipsters and creatives, the district has grown to near capacity in recent years, bringing an influx of restaurant and retail. Oak & Ore is a neighborhood pub with an excellent selection of local beers combined with a small but outstanding list of imports and national microbrews. The newest bar/restaurant to the neighborhood is Goro Ramen + Izakaya, a ramen house and sake bar styled on Japanese gastropubs (Izakaya). The patio at Empire Slice House is one of the city's late-night favorites. If the weather is good, sit outside and enjoy a wide selection of beer and cocktails.

Penn Avenue

This is the biggest area to cover because there are no actual neighborhood districts. For locals, Groovy's is the dance club of choice. The smoking-permitted bar plays a mixture of old and new music from diverse genres, and a full bar is available. The area also includes Oklahoma City's gay district, which is home to The Copa. Located inside Habana Inn, The Copa is one of the hottest dance clubs in the metro. North of the Penn Avenue area is Memorial Road, the northern edge of Oklahoma City, a stretch of road that is peppered with clubs, bars, restaurants and one of the city's popular fun destinations TopGolf. Baker Street is a popular night spot for 20- and 30-somethings, too, featuring a full bar and a packed house on weekend nights.

Most of the features of this district are family friendly, but Remington Park is a Thoroughbred race track and casino. Featuring 750 electronic gaming machines, the casino has Bricktown Brewery on site and is open until 3 am Thursday-Saturday. The Zoo Amphitheater has been one of the state's favorite outdoor music venue for decades. Featuring new and nostalgic music, the Zoo has a regular summer lineup, so check the website for shows.

Technically, Classen Curve is a shopping and dining development, and it's home to RePUBlic Gastropub, a popular eatery with a large beer selection. Designed by Oklahoma's most awarded architect, Rand Elliott, RePUBlic is part sports bar, part pub, and part work of art. West was one of the first restaurants to figure out the smoking dilemma in Oklahoma City. The upscale casual restaurant has an excellent wine list and delicious signature cocktails. They also have two patios: one smoking and one non-smoking.